kalaniwavo 0 #1 March 18, 2008 I've been checking out some of the classifieds for used rigs and the reserve canopies seem to be usually a bit smaller than the main. I am a recent A lic. grad and feel comfortable under a 200 but probably not anything smaller yet. Should I be looking for a reserve of the same size or are the flight characteristics of a reserve different? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DHolland 0 #2 March 18, 2008 How much do you weigh? Keep in mind that I am still new to the sport and many others here will be able to give you better and more informed advice than myself, but I just want to know how much you weigh and your exit weight because this will help everyone determine what size canopy will be correct for you. There are some general guidelines as to what your wingloading should be for your experience level and while it is debatable and many people do load aggressively, I think sticking to WL requirements as set by Brian Germain will keep you safe and allow you to discover your canopies full capabilities before you decide to have a higher wingloading. To everyone who is actually experienced. . .please correct me if I am wrong and/or post the link to Brian Germain's WL requirements because I dont have it. -Dennis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #3 March 18, 2008 Quote are the flight characteristics of a reserve different? Yes, they fly and land "worse" so you want a BIGGER reserve ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nutz 0 #4 March 20, 2008 I jump a 190 main and a 250 reserve. Wing loading is not as signifigant as you get heavier. (People will flame me for that.) Reserves are usually F111, mains are usually ZP. (F111 breathes, ZP does not.) The glide ratio will be different. "Don't! Get! Eliminated!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sletzer 3 #5 March 20, 2008 You're more experienced than me, but there was a study by PD that shows that a signifigant difference in reserve and main sizes can be a serious problem in the case of a two out senario. Something like a 190 main to a 250 reserve sounds awfully varied, and could cause the type of problems the PD guys reference. A link to the article is here: http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/dualsq.pdf I think it's good reading for deciding main/reserve canopy size ratios, as well as showing great information on what to do in a two out scenario. I've formed my personal reaction plans largely based on this study, and the resulting talk with the more experienced jumpers at my DZ. To the OP: Bottom line, you shouldn't get a reserve WAY bigger than a main- and that's coming from the PD guys. Definately read the article and form your own opinions.I will be kissing hands and shaking babies all afternoon. Thanks for all your support! *bows* SCS #8251 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nutz 0 #6 March 20, 2008 My thinking is that I could be unconcious under the reserve so I want something big and slow, as far as two out, I've seen a biplane more than once. I don't know that the reserve was 60 square ft bigger than the main but the reserve was bigger in both instances and the brakes on neither canopy were released either time. The best thing to do is avoid a two out situation? My thinking on that has always been, if altitude permits, diconnct the rsl, turn it into a downplane and cut the main away. If they are flying stable, that is not a good idea, there is too much risk of entanglment. Also, if you have two out it is probably because you deployed your main too low. (If I found myself in that situation I would probably do what the professionals say and steer very gingerly with the canopy that is in front, which is most likely to be the main. And plf.) Also, my 250 reserve would be loaded 1.0 which is why I chose that size. That and the first rig I rented was set up that way. I wound up buying it and it is my backup / water rig. FYI, my opinion is that and I am by no means an expert. "Don't! Get! Eliminated!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,107 #7 March 20, 2008 > but there was a study by PD that shows that a signifigant difference > in reserve and main sizes can be a serious problem in the case of a two > out senario. Agreed. However, it is FAR more likely that you will injure yourself jumping a reserve that's too small than you will have a problem with a dual deployment. A few cases in point. A jumper at Otay had a Stiletto 120 and got a Micro Raven 120 as a reserve. Compatible, right? He had a reserve ride, tried to land the MR120, and broke his leg. Had he had a Micro Raven 150 (or even a PD126R, which both flares better and is closer in size to a MR135) he would have been in much better shape. Another friend of mine barely survived a CRW wrap in which he had both canopies out. Had his reserve been larger, he may well have impacted at a lower speed due to the increased drag. I can almost guarantee that when you find yourself under your reserve, you will not be looking up at it thinking "dang, I wish that thing was smaller." Size is your friend when things go bad. To me, using a smaller reserve to prevent problems during a two-out is somewhat akin to not using a seatbelt so that you will be "thrown clear" of the accident. Have people been thrown clear, and thus avoided worse injury? Yes. But statistically, a seatbelt is much more likely to help than hurt. For a long time I've been jumping a Nitro 108 and a PD126R. I just bought a G4, and I put a Crossfire 109 and a PD143R in it. Overall that's a safer combo for me. The best option, hands down, is sizing both your main and reserve similarly so they will land you safely under all conditions. Most people do not do that; they jump fairly small mains that land well under ideal conditions. In such a case, it is a big mistake to downsize your reserve as well, since a) it will not land as well as your main; b) you will not be used to landing it and c) it will often have to be landed out. Therefore I recommend that people do NOT downsize their reserves at the same time they downsize their mains. The ability to safely land a reserve trumps the compatibility issue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #8 March 23, 2008 Two out is pretty rare compared to just your reserve. Also, I've HAD 2 out and a Skymaster 230 didn't play nice with a PD253R anyway, so I do not expect my vengeance or even my safire to play nice with any kind/size of reserve. Get a reserve you can land well in any condition. Regardless of the main you fly. Period. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites